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TV Magazine Issue 10: Read Online

Hello TV fans!

Did you grab yourself a copy of our vibrant, rugby-themed TV Magazinefrom a tube station near you this morning? If not, don’t despair; as usual, Team TV is here to make your Monday a whole lot better, as Issue 10 is now available to read online!

In this fortnight’s edition, we’ve gone World Cup mad. Inside our pages you’ll find the full schedule of this year’s rugby showdown, plus the best London bars and restaurants to watch the games from. We also look at how TV and movies have predicted future technologies well in advance of their inception, and how to make the most of life in the city this autumn.

In addition to this, we’ve given you all the necessary info about the biggest news and talking points in television, film, and video on demand.

Can’t wait to read more? Simply click on the TV Magazine cover below for all the latest in TV, V.O.D, film, and much, much more.

Love the magazine? Join the conversation on Twitter using #TVMagazine.

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TV Magazine Issue 9: Read Online

Hello TV Fans!

Did you grab yourself a chock-a-block copy of TV Magazine from a tube station near you this morning? If not, don’t despair; as usual, Team TV is here to make your Monday a whole lot better, as Issue 9 is now available to read online.

In this fortnight’s edition, it’s a British Export special as we weave our way through the stream of secrets surrounding two of England biggest TV successes, Doctor Who & Downton Abbey – both of which return to our screens in the next two weeks. In addition to this, we’re also giving you all the necessary info about the biggest news and talking points in television and film.

Can’t wait to read more? Simply click on the TV Magazine cover below for all the latest in TV, VOD and film news and much, much more.

Love the magazine? Join the conversation on Twitter using #TVMagazine.

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TV Magazine’s Film Guide #9

Before TV Magazine Issue #9 goes live tomorrow, we thought we’d give you your film fix in advance!

Feast your eyes on these very exciting trailers, book your tickets for the films*, and of course, look out for Issue #9 of TV Magazine tomorrow!

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Legend

Tom Hardy brings identical twin gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray to life in this new crime biopic, set in 1950s and ‘60s London. Focussing on the life of Reginald, who seeks to control the psychotic tendencies of his brother Ronald, the film charts the rise and fall of the notorious duo, and the relationship that bound them together.

Did you know? Tom Hardy previously played “Britain’s most notorious prisoner”, Charles Bronson, in the 2008 film Bronson. Reginald Kray and Bronson knew each other in real life, while serving in prison together.

During the making of the film, writer/director Brian Helgeland had drinks in a London bar with well-known Krays associate Freddie Foreman. When it came to settling the bill, Foreman declared “we don’t pay”.

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Everest

Inspired by the incredible real life events of the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster, this breathtaking thriller documents the journey of two different expeditions – one led by Scott Fischer and the other by Rob Hall – challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind.

In the latest chapter of the epic Maze Runner saga, Thomas must now lead his fellow Gladers as they try to battle the powerful organisation known as WCKD, while also facing the desolate and dangerous landscape of the Scorch.

While settling into their new home in Southeast Asia, an American family finds themselves caught in a violent political uprising. They must frantically look for a safe escape from an environment where foreigners are being immediately executed.

Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe gathers an A-list ensemble for his first film in four years. A golden boy military contractor falls for a hard-nosed Air Force watchdog when revisiting the site of his greatest career triumph, whilst also reconnecting with a long-ago love.

A guitar heroine who left her family to become a rockstar returns home in an attempt to get back everything she gave up for her music career. Meryl Streep stars alongside her real-life daughter, Mamie Gummer.

Finding himself in an existential crisis, a tormented philosophy professor discovers a new will to live upon starting a relationship with one of his students in this new mystery drama from cult director Woody Allen.

A brother and sister sent to their grandparents’ remote farm for a week-long trip discover that the elderly couple is involved in something deeply disturbing in this latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan.

This new documentary from Kevin Pollak investigates the idea of the ‘sad clown’, and the link between depression and comedy, through interviews with over fifty comedians. Dedicated to the memory of Robin Williams.

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TV Magazine Issue 8: Read Online

Hi there TV lovers!

Did you grab yourself a chock-a-block copy of TV Magazine from a tube station near you this morning? If not, don’t despair; as usual, Team TV is here to make your Monday a whole lot better, as Issue 8 is now available to read online.

In this fortnight’s edition, we continue our countdown of our Top 100 Not Safe For Work Scenes, looking at spots 50-1, in addition to giving you all the necessary info about the next two weeks in television and film.

Can’t wait to read more? Simply click on the cover below for all the latest in TV, VOD and film news and much, much more.

Love the magazine? Join the conversation on Twitter using #TVMagazine.

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The (Mis)representation of Disability on TV

Diversity on television has been a hot topic of media conversation for a while now. Perhaps due to the empowering effect of social media allowing all segments of the population to have their voices heard like never before, calls for the fair on-screen representation of various minority groups are gradually being met with some answers. However, for those of us who do not conform to the able-bodied ideal of what people on TV should look like, progress is proving slow.

There are disabled people of every age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political inclination in society. So why is it that the representation of people living with disabilities so often resorts to limited stereotypes, such as the wheelchair-bound boy who wishes he could dance like the other members of his glee club?

Thankfully, some shows have been bringing characters with disabilities more into the limelight.

In Breaking Bad, the son of central character Walter White has cerebral palsy. The show’s portrayal of Walt Junior and his condition is well handled. He is a regular teenager; albeit one who finds learning to drive and shopping for new jeans more challenging than his able-bodied peers. The success of this vibrant character is undoubtedly aided by the fact that the actor R.J. Mitte has CP himself – albeit in a much milder form than his character. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones’s Tyrion Lannister, played by Peter Dinklage, is a fan favourite who commands respect through his nuanced characterisation and great depth. Occasional reference to Lannister’s smaller stature is made by himself and other characters, yet he is not defined by his dwarfism. In both of these cases, the actors’ disabilities are real and experienced, meaning that the representation of their conditions is not cliched, or poorly informed.

Yet there is still much work to do in the way of conquering stereotypes, and unfortunately these positive representations are largely an exception to the rule. The pity parties and freak-show formats remain. After all, the fair and appropriate representation of those who identify as disabled is difficult to achieve without more disabled people working in and advising on television productions.

In May of this year, the Creative Diversity Network (CDN) and Creative Skillset issued a workforce survey comprising over 1,100 respondents within television. The survey asked questions to analyse the recruitment, working patterns, training needs, pay, and socio-economic backgrounds of those working in TV.

Disappointingly, the results showed that the proportion of people with disabilities in the creative media workforce has remained static for 10 years at around 5%, against 11% across the wider working population. In other words, the proportion of disabled people working in television is still much lower than in the economy as a whole, and has not improved for a decade.

In response to these figures, the CDN and Creative Skillset are calling for the TV industry to look urgently at the numbers of disabled staff in television, and come together to improve representation levels.

“The TV industry has much work to do to create a truly diverse and representative workforce. The progress that has been made in recent years to encourage more B.A.M.E and women professionals must be extended to people with disabilities.”

Andrew Chowns, CEO of Directors UK

“TV can’t afford to miss out on the talent and skills of disabled people.”

John McVay, Chair of the Creative Diversity Network

In spite of this underrepresentation, many programmes are wasting perfect opportunities to showcase the talents of disabled people. In a notorious example, FOX’s hugely popular musical comedy Glee came under fire in 2009 for enlisting the able-bodied actor-cum-dancer Kevin McHale as the paraplegic high schooler Artie; a casting decision that offended viewers have likened to a white actor painting his face to play a black character.

Why not give the job to a real life wheelchair user? Or better yet, how about hiring disabled actors in roles which haven’t been written specifically for people with disabilities?

One company dedicated to change is VisABLE People; the world’s first talent agency creating mainstream professional opportunities for actors with disabilities. Founded by Louise Dyson in 1994, VisABLE People believes disabled talents are able to play most roles, and not just characters with a specified disability. So far, the agency’s clients have starred in some of the UK’s biggest shows, including Home Fires, Call The Midwife, New Tricks, Life’s Too Short, and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

“For the last 21 years we have tried to create much more than a climate of acceptance – but one of expectation – that cast members in films and TV series will include actors with disabilities; which are totally irrelevant to the character and story lines. I am proud of our trailblazing because for the very first time, a disabled child considering their career prospects knows it is it is very viable to have ‘Professional Actor’ or ‘TV Presenter’ on their employment wish list”.

Louise Dyson, Founder of VisABLE People

On top of needing more disabled actors and presenters on our screens, a more diverse group of people working behind the scenes will lead to a better range of perspectives.

In April of this year, a disabled viewership banded together to have an important impact on what we watch.

The show in question was the Netflix original series Marvel’s Daredevil, which follows a crime-fighting superhero who happens to be blind. Rather carelessly, the streaming company failed to provide audio descriptions for the programme, meaning that audiences with visual impairments were unable to enjoy a show that they had been looking forward to. In a petition labelled ‘#Dare2Describe’, fans protested that “if [Daredevil himself] were a Netflix subscriber, he wouldn’t even be able to enjoy his own show”. Netflix swiftly responded to the pressure by adding audio assistance, allowing blind audiences to enjoy the show along with everybody else (so much so that actor Charlie Cox was honoured with a Helen Keller Achievement Award last month for his portrayal of the blind character).

“It was incredible,” recalls Robert Kingett, a journalist and activist who is blind. “Me and quite a few other ‘blindies’ gathered around and watched the first episode in jubilance.”

In a broader triumph, the campaign has led Netflix to expand its accessibility options by adding audio descriptions to a range of its other titles.

Consulting Daredevil fans living with visual impairments seems like a matter of common sense. Yet remarkably few entertainment companies are taking the initiative to consider the disabled population, and how it may feel underrepresented or excluded by certain production and post-production decisions.

It is our strong belief that television should celebrate our real world diversity by offering fair and equal portrayals of our real world demographics. It is our hope that future programmes will build upon the progress already made, by employing a more heterogeneous workforce, and by listening to and representing members of the public who do not conform to the able-bodied majority.

More on Film

TV Magazine’s Film Guide #8

Before TV Magazine Issue #8 goes live tomorrow, we thought we’d give you your film fix in advance!

Feast your eyes on these very exciting trailers, book your tickets for the films*, and of course, look out for Issue #8 of TV Magazine tomorrow morning!

–

Hitman: Agent 47

The second film to be based on the Hitman video game series, this action thriller centres around a genetically engineered assassin who must confront the truth of his creation and defeat his deadliest foe; the evil corporation seeking to create its own army of superhuman hitmen.

Did you know? The late Paul Walker was attached to play the titular role of Agent 47, before his sudden death in November 2013.

British beauty Hannah Ware is the older sister of musician Jessie Ware.

–

Straight Outta Compton

With some of the most on-point casting we’ve ever seen, this high octane new biopic tells the story of legendary rap group N.W.A, who revolutionised music in the ‘80s and ‘90s with their honest tales of life in the hood.

A couple of grieving parents move into a new home after the death of their son. As strange events begin to occur in the house, neighbors hint that the house has a dark past and has claimed the lives of several others.

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TV Magazine Issue 7: Read Online

Hi there TV fans!

Did you snag yourself a chock-a-block copy of TV Magazine from a tube station near you this morning? If not, don’t despair; as usual, Team TV is here to make your Monday a whole lot better, as Issue 7 is now available to read online.

In this fortnight’s edition, we start the countdown of our Top 100 Not Safe For Work Scenes, looking at spots 100-51, in addition to giving you all the necessary info about the next two weeks in television and film.

Can’t wait to read more? Simply click on the cover below for all the latest in TV, VOD and film news and much, much more.

Love the magazine? Join the conversation on Twitter using #TVMagazine.

More on Film

TV Magazine’s Film Guide #7

Before TV Magazine Issue #7 goes live tomorrow, we thought we’d give you your film fix in advance!

Feast your eyes on these very exciting trailers, book your tickets for the films*, and of course, look out for Issue #7 of TV Magazine tomorrow morning!

–

The Man From U.N.C.L.E

Based on the 1960s TV series of the same name, this latest spy-fi action comedy from Guy Richie sees a CIA agent and a KGB agent forced to work together to stop a nuclear plot during the height of the Cold War.

In this visually breathtaking new action comedy from Chris Columbus, aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, and retaliate against Earth using the retro ‘80s games as their models for attack.

Based on the classic ‘80s film series National Lampoon’s Vacation, this fifth instalment follows a new generation of Griswolds as they hit the road to Walley World, encountering a whole lot of family dysfunction along the way.

Directed by Terry Jones, this sci-fi comedy featuring all the living members of Monty Python follows a schoolteacher who is given great abilities by a group of power-crazed aliens. Starring the late Robin Williams in his final film role.

From the team behind Bridesmaids comes another irreverent ensemble comedy about a young woman struggling to get her life in order. After years of commitment-phobia, could promiscuous young writer Amy have finally found love?

Adapted from the novel by The Fault In Our Stars author John Green, Paper Towns is the coming-of-age story of Quentin, who follows his neighbour Margo on a nighttime odyssey through their hometown, before the latter goes missing.

Set in the aftermath of 2012’s Sinister, this harrowing sequel follows a young mother and her twin sons as they move into a rural house that’s marked for death, and encounter the evil spirit of Bughuul.

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TV Magazine Issue 6: Read Online

Hello TV lovers!

Did you manage to snag one of our chock-a-block TV Magazines from a tube station near you this morning? If not, don’t despair; as usual, Team TV is here to make your Monday a whole lot better, as Issue 6 is now available to read online.

In this fortnight’s edition, we investigate the enigma that is the TV revival, with a special look at success stories: Fargo, Hannibal and Daredevil, in addition to giving you all the necessary info about the next two weeks in television and film.

Can’t wait to read more? Simply click on the cover below for all the latest in TV, VOD and film news and much, much more.

Love the magazine? Join the conversation on Twitter using #TVMagazine.